A £6.8 million superyacht has sunk in the Mediterranean just days after being handed over to its new owner, turning what should have been the beginning of a luxury sailing experience into a major maritime incident.
The Angiola II capsized on Tuesday evening near Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy, between Cappuccini Island and Capo Ferro.
Dramatic footage from the scene showed the 98-foot vessel gradually tilting onto its side before disappearing beneath the water as people aboard nearby boats watched helplessly.
New Owner’s Yacht Goes Under Days After Delivery
The sinking occurred only four days after the yacht was delivered to its Italian owner following an extensive refurbishment project.
The owner’s identity has not been revealed, but he was among 14 people aboard the vessel when the incident unfolded.
Twelve passengers were rescued by a nearby boat, while the owner and one other person remained on board temporarily as they waited for assistance from a patrol vessel.
They were later taken safely to Poltu Quatu.
No injuries were reported.
Possible Engine Failure Linked to Flooding
Initial reports suggest the yacht may have lost buoyancy after an engine-related problem caused a fire affecting the vessel’s seals.
The damage reportedly allowed water to enter the yacht, eventually leading to the loss of stability and the vessel’s capsizing.
However, authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the sinking, and investigations into the incident are expected to determine exactly what happened.
Coast Guard Battles to Stabilise Vessel
The La Maddalena Coast Guard responded to the emergency and spent almost three hours working to bring the situation under control.
Despite those efforts, the yacht remains on the seabed approximately seven metres below the surface.
Recovery operations are expected to involve a large pontoon weighing around 200 tons to remove the wreck from the water.
Authorities at La Maddalena Port Authority are also reportedly taking steps to prevent possible environmental consequences from the sunken vessel.
A Luxury Vessel With Italian Craftsmanship
The Angiola II was built by Italian shipyard Permare under the Amer Yachts brand and was launched in July 2020.
The yacht was the sixth vessel produced in the Amer F100 series, a model designed to combine luxury accommodation with advanced cruising features.
The vessel could host up to 10 guests across five cabins, making it a high-end option for private Mediterranean travel.
Yacht’s Value Estimated Above €8 Million
Italian media have estimated the yacht’s value at more than €8 million, equivalent to approximately £6.8 million.
The purchase was announced in July by ship brokerage Agenzia Marittima De Felice, which described the new owner as a long-standing client of the company.
The sinking represents a significant financial loss and an unexpected setback for a vessel that had only recently returned to service after refurbishment.
Another Luxury Yacht Sinking Raises Safety Questions
The Sardinia incident comes after another luxury yacht sank in Turkey last year.
A newly completed £700,000 yacht named Dolce Vento overturned about 200 metres offshore in the Eregli district of Zonguldak, northern Turkey.
Footage from that incident showed the vessel rolling onto its side before sinking, forcing those on board—including the owner, captain and crew members—to jump into the water.
No one was injured, and rescue teams later established a safety perimeter while recovery efforts began.
Investigations Continue Into Maritime Failures
Shipyard officials involved in the Turkish incident said technical inspections would be carried out to determine the cause of the sinking.
Maritime experts have noted that stability issues, including possible errors in calculations related to a vessel’s balance and centre of gravity, can contribute to capsizing incidents.
While the causes behind both yacht accidents remain under investigation, the incidents highlight the risks involved even with modern luxury vessels equipped with advanced technology.
For the owner of Angiola II, a vessel that was meant to represent a new chapter of Mediterranean cruising, the journey ended almost as soon as it began.
